Identification & Site Information

• Name: Alva D
• Former Names: None known
• Official Number: C126657
• Date Built and Launched: 1912
• Builder: Peter (Gavelre), Penetanguishene, Ontario
• Vessel Type: Wooden Propeller Tug
• Hull Material: Wood
• Measurements: Length: 43 ft (13.1 m) Beam: 10 ft (3.0 m) Depth: 6 ft (1.8 m)
• Gross Tonnage: 22 tons
• Net Tonnage: 15 tons
• Date Lost: August 25, 1914
• Place of Loss: Between Beaverstone and Collins Inlet, Georgian Bay, Lake Huron
• Lake: Lake Huron
• Type of Loss: Fire
• Loss of Life: Unknown
• Cargo at Time of Loss: None

Vessel Type:

The Alva D was a wooden propeller Tug, built for towing duties in the Georgian Bay area of Lake Huron. Tugs like the Alva D were essential for harbour operations, lumber transport, and assisting larger vessels in navigating the narrow inlets and waterways of Georgian Bay.

Description:
Built in 1912 by Peter (Gavelre) in Penetanguishene, Ontario, the Alva D measured 43 feet in length with a beam of 10 feet and a depth of 6 feet. She had a Gross Tonnage of 22 tons and a Net Tonnage of 15 tons. The vessel was relatively small, making her ideal for inland towing operations and maneuvering through the tight channels and shallow waters characteristic of the Georgian Bay region.

The Tug was originally owned by Paul Dupuis of Penetanguishene, who had her built to replace an earlier Tug of the same name lost in 1909. The Alva D was equipped with the same engine as her predecessor, reflecting a common practice of reusing valuable machinery in newly constructed vessels. Later, she was owned by Andrew Robetaille of Penetanguishene and registered out of Midland, Ontario.

History

The Alva D operated during a time when Georgian Bay was a bustling hub for the lumber industry and local maritime trade. Small tugs like the Alva D were crucial in towing log booms, assisting larger vessels in harbors, and facilitating the transport of goods and materials between remote communities scattered across the bay.

While specific details about her operational history are limited, the Tug would have been an essential part of the maritime infrastructure supporting the logging camps, mills, and small ports in the area.

Final Voyage and Loss:

On August 25, 1914, the Alva D was destroyed by fire while navigating the waters between Beaverstone and Collins Inlet in Georgian Bay. The exact cause of the fire is not specified, but engine fires were a common hazard for wooden tugs operating with coal or wood-fired steam engines.

It is unclear whether there were any casualties in the incident, as records do not specify if the crew escaped safely. The Tug was not carrying cargo at the time of her loss, suggesting she was likely in transit between towing assignments or returning to her home port.

Connection to Previous Vessel

The Alva D was built to replace an earlier Tug of the same name that was lost in 1909. The reuse of the same engine highlights the economic value of maritime machinery during this period and suggests that the vessel was considered a vital asset to her owners in Penetanguishene.

Final Disposition:

The Alva D was destroyed by fire and declared a Total Loss. There are no records indicating that any part of the vessel was salvaged after the incident.

Located By & Date Found:

There is no confirmed modern discovery of the Alva D‘s wreck. Given the relatively shallow waters of Georgian Bay, remnants of the vessel may still exist, though wooden wrecks often deteriorate rapidly in such conditions.

NOTMARs & Advisories:

No specific navigational hazards related to the Alva D are reported in the Beaverstone and Collins Inlet area, but mariners should be aware that Georgian Bay contains many unmarked shipwrecks and navigational challenges.

Resources & Links:

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes
• Great Lakes Vessels Database – BGSU
• Ontario Shipwrecks Database
• Edward J. Dowling Collection, University of Detroit – Mercy

---

Conclusion

The Alva D represents the small but vital workhorse vessels that supported local industry and commerce in Georgian Bay during the early 20th century. Built in 1912 to replace a previous vessel of the same name, the Tug served the region’s towing and harbor operations until her loss by fire in 1914. While her final fate remains largely undocumented, the Alva D is a testament to the essential role that small tugs played in the maritime infrastructure of Lake Huron and Georgian Bay.

---

Keywords: Alva D, Georgian Bay Tug, Lake Huron Shipwreck, Beaverstone, Collins Inlet, Great Lakes Maritime History
Categories: Great Lakes Tugs, Lake Huron Shipwrecks, 20th Century Maritime Incidents
Glossary Terms: Propeller Tug, Wooden Hull, Maritime Fire, Total Loss, Towing Vessel